Yes. Eugene allows one accessory dwelling on any lot with a single primary dwelling in every residential zone, approved with a building permit and no land-use hearing (Eugene Code 9.2751(17), last amended by Ordinance 20659, effective Sept 17, 2021). The unit may be attached or detached and is capped at 800 sq ft or 10% of the lot area, whichever is smaller; inside the Amazon, Fairmount and South University neighborhoods the cap is 600 sq ft on lots under 9,000 sq ft. Setbacks are 10 ft front and 5 ft side and rear, with a 25 ft height limit for the part of a detached ADU more than 60 ft from the street. No parking, no owner-occupancy and no minimum lot size apply (ORS 197A.425). Budget $6,000-$10,000 for system development charges (the transportation SDC is waived for ADUs) plus valuation-based permit fees; eleven pre-approved plan sets, one of them free, skip the plan-review fee.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Yes — Eugene allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 800 sq ft under current Oregon and Eugene zoning rules.
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| Allowed Zones | All residential zones, on a lot with a single primary dwelling; the city's ADU fact sheet (Form LU-230) and its ADU program page say ADUs are allowed in all neighborhoods. Lots in the urban growth boundary but outside city limits follow a separate fact sheet (Accessory Dwelling in UL Overlay). Contact Land Use (541-682-8336) for non-residential zones |
| Max Size (Detached) | 800 sq ft or 10% of lot area, whichever is smaller, measured at the exterior walls and including halls, closets, stairs and baths (EC 9.2751(17)(a)1). Up to 300 sq ft of attached unheated garage or storage is not counted (800 sq ft if the ADU is above a garage). In the R-1 zone inside Amazon Neighbors, Fairmount Neighbors or South University: 600 sq ft on lots under 9,000 sq ft, 800 sq ft on lots of 9,000 sq ft or more (EC 9.2751(17)(c)2) |
| Max Size (Attached) | Same cap: 800 sq ft or 10% of lot area, whichever is smaller (EC 9.2751(17)(a)1). To count as attached the ADU must share at least 8 ft of common wall or ceiling with the house (EC 9.2751(17)(a)3). Same Amazon / Fairmount / South University rule: 600 sq ft under 9,000 sq ft of lot, 800 sq ft at or above (EC 9.2751(17)(c)2) |
| Max Size (JADU) | N/A (Oregon and Eugene have no junior ADU category; an interior conversion is simply an attached accessory dwelling) |
| Max Height | Within 60 ft of the front lot line: the zone's main-building height, 30 ft in R-1 (Table 9.2750). More than 60 ft from the front lot line: 25 ft maximum, and from 15 ft above grade the interior setback slopes inward 10 in. per 12 in. of height (EC 9.2751(17)(b)4). For an ADU above a garage or on a lot with 5 ft or more of grade change the slope starts at 22 ft where the lot abuts R-1 land, still capped at 25 ft (EC 9.2751(17)(a)2.b(2)). The 7 ft steep-roof bonus does not apply to ADUs in R-1 |
| Max Units | 1 accessory dwelling per lot with a single primary dwelling (EC 9.2751(17); Form LU-230). Inside Amazon, Fairmount and South University the ADU is limited to 2 bedrooms if the house has 3 or fewer bedrooms, or 1 bedroom if the house has 4 or more (EC 9.2751(17)(c)4) |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Eugene requires a rear setback of about 5 ft for a detached ADU, and no additional parking is required. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.
| Rear Setback | 5 ft (Eugene treats side and rear lot lines alike as 'interior yard' setbacks; EC 9.2751(17)(a)2 and (b)4). Eaves and chimneys may project 2 ft into it. On a flag lot the interior setback is 10 ft (EC 9.2775(5)(e)). An ADU above a garage may sit closer with a 10 ft building separation and a recorded maintenance-access easement (EC 9.2751(17)(a)2.c) |
| Side Setback | 5 ft interior yard setback (EC 9.2751(17)(a)2 and (b)4; Table 9.2750 alternatively allows 10 ft between buildings). Above 15 ft of height the setback slopes inward toward the 25 ft cap unless the wall is 20 ft or more from the line. Eaves and chimneys may project 2 ft |
| Front Setback | 10 ft (Table 9.2750 R-1 front yard); 18 ft to a garage door or carport post measured along the driveway centerline (Form LU-230) |
| Parking Required | None required. The city's ADU page states ADUs do not require additional off-street parking, and ORS 197A.425(1)(b)(B) bars Oregon cities from requiring it (vacation rentals excepted) |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required. The city's ADU page states owner occupancy of either unit is not required; ORS 197A.425 prohibits the condition and Ordinance 20659 (2021) removed it from the Eugene Code |
| Min Lot Size | None. The city's ADU page states ADUs are not restricted by minimum lot size, lot dimension or maximum density, and EC 9.2751(1)(b) exempts accessory dwellings from Table 9.2750 density limits. Lot coverage still applies: 50% in R-1 (Table 9.2750), and inside Amazon, Fairmount and South University every roofed area counts toward it (EC 9.2751(17)(c)1) |
Permit Process & Fees [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
An ADU permit in Eugene goes through a standard permit review. Typical timeline: Pre-approved plans: the city says site-specific plan review typically takes 3-4 weeks before the permit can issue (city ADU FAQ). Custom plans go through standard residential plan review; Eugene publishes no target time for it. Permit fees: Valuation-based: building permit $953.34 plus $4.34 per $1,000 over $100,000, plan check 65% of that (waived for pre-approved plans), electrical $244.40, plumbing $571.40 for one bath, mechanical per appliance, plus 12% state surcharge (schedule effective July 1, 2025; a July 2026 schedule applies).
| Approval Process | Building permit only, filed through the eBuild portal; zoning compliance is checked in plan review, with no land-use application or neighbor notice. The city recommends meeting Building and Permit Services (541-682-5505) before applying. A pre-approved plan skips building-code plan review; you still submit a site plan for zoning, drainage and SDC review. Converting an existing building that misses a standard needs an adjustment under EC 9.8030(34), unavailable in Amazon, Fairmount or South University |
| Review Timeline | Pre-approved plans: the city says site-specific plan review typically takes 3-4 weeks before the permit can issue (city ADU FAQ). Custom plans go through standard residential plan review; Eugene publishes no target time for it |
| Permit Fees | Valuation-based: building permit $953.34 plus $4.34 per $1,000 over $100,000, plan check 65% of that (waived for pre-approved plans), electrical $244.40, plumbing $571.40 for one bath, mechanical per appliance, plus 12% state surcharge (schedule effective July 1, 2025; a July 2026 schedule applies) |
| Impact Fees | System development charges of about $6,000-$10,000 per ADU (city SDC FAQ, Dec 2024; the ADU program page says budget about $7,000) for parks, stormwater and local/regional wastewater; the transportation SDC is reduced 100% for new ADUs. Payable at permit issuance or financed through the city over up to 10 years at prime plus 2%. EWEB charges a separate water SDC. Rates are indexed each July 1 |
| Plan Check | Building plan check is 65% of the building permit fee; waived when you build one of the city's pre-approved plans (only site-related review and fees remain) |
| Pre-Approved Plans | Yes: the Pre-Approved ADU Plans Library has 11 detached plan sets from 287 to 795 sq ft (studio to 2 bedrooms). Ten are sold by their designers for $500 each; the city's own plan, The Joel, is a free download. All are pre-reviewed for building-code compliance, so the plan-review fee is not charged |
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Construction Costs [15]
Building an ADU in Eugene typically costs $110,000-$285,000 ($150-$300 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $60,000-$150,000.
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| Average Build Cost | $110,000-$285,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $150-$300 |
| Garage Conversion | $60,000-$150,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $90,000-$230,000 |
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Rental Income Potential [16][17][18]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Eugene rents for around $1,500-$1,900/mo, an estimated 6-9% gross rental yield (estimate).
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,200-$1,500/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $1,500-$1,900/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | Yes. Rentals under 30 days are allowed in a separate dwelling unit; the city requires free annual STR registration and a 4.5% transient room tax. City Council has an open review of STR regulations |
| Est. Annual ROI | 6-9% gross rental yield (estimate) |
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Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- Verified Sept 20, 2026: Eugene Code 9.2751(17) has not been substantively amended since Ordinance 20659 (enacted Sept 15, 2021, effective Sept 17, 2021); the city's Land Use Code Amendments page (May 2026) lists no later ADU ordinance. The 2026 Urban Growth Strategies code package (Planning Commission hearing June 23, 2026) covers middle housing, micro-villages and R-1 building height, not the ADU section
- Corrected Sept 2026: the rear setback is 5 ft, not 10 ft (Eugene's interior-yard setback covers side and rear lines); the height limit is 25 ft with a sloped setback for the part of an ADU more than 60 ft from the street; and the 1,000 sq ft alley-access-lot cap does not apply to ADUs because EC 9.2751(18)(c) sends ADUs on alley lots back to the ADU standards in 9.2751(17)
- Fees updated: the construction fee schedule effective July 1, 2025 (Administrative Order 53-25-05-F) sets the building permit at $953.34 plus $4.34 per $1,000 of value over $100,000, plan check at 65%, electrical at $244.40 and one-bath plumbing at $571.40, plus the 12% state surcharge; the city's SDC FAQ (Dec 2024) estimates $6,000-$10,000 in SDCs per ADU, with the transportation SDC waived 100% for ADUs. FY2026 SDC rates were set by Administrative Order 58-25-05-F and are indexed every July 1
- Pre-approved plan library counted Sept 2026: 11 plan sets (10 at $500 from their designers, plus the city's free plan, The Joel), 287-795 sq ft; the city says site review of a pre-approved plan typically takes 3-4 weeks
- Oregon HB 2138 (2025 session, passed June 2025): Sections 7-10 make any recorded CC&R or HOA rule that blocks an ADU inside an urban growth boundary void and unenforceable, whenever it was recorded, operative Jan 1, 2027; Section 22 orders LCDC to adopt rules by Jan 1, 2028 limiting ADU siting and design standards that impose unreasonable cost or delay. The bill sets no ADU size cap; an earlier claim here of a statewide 1,000 sq ft conversion cap was wrong and has been removed
- The state ADU mandate was renumbered: former ORS 197.312(5)-(6) is now ORS 197A.425. It still requires every city over 2,500 people to allow at least one ADU per detached house in single-family zones and bars owner-occupancy and parking requirements (vacation rentals excepted)
- Three neighborhoods keep their own ADU rulebook: inside the city-recognized boundaries of Amazon Neighbors, Fairmount Neighbors and South University Neighborhood Association, EC 9.2751(17)(c) caps the ADU at 600 sq ft on lots under 9,000 sq ft, counts every roofed area toward the 50% lot coverage, limits bedrooms (2 if the house has 3 or fewer, 1 if it has 4 or more) and makes the standards non-adjustable (EC 9.2751(17)(d))
Tips for Building an ADU in Eugene
- Check the 10% rule before the 800 sq ft cap: on a 6,000 sq ft lot the ADU is limited to 600 sq ft, and on a 5,000 sq ft lot to 500 sq ft. Up to 300 sq ft of attached unheated garage or storage does not count (EC 9.2751(17)(b)1)
- Check your neighborhood before you draw plans. If the property is in Amazon, Fairmount or South University, the ADU may be capped at 600 sq ft and one bedroom, and you cannot request an adjustment to get around it (EC 9.2751(17)(c)-(d))
- Keep the ADU within 60 ft of the street if you want two full stories: beyond that line the second floor must fit under a 25 ft cap with a sloped setback that starts 15 ft above grade, unless the wall is set 20 ft or more from the lot line
- Pre-approved plans save real money: the 65% plan-check fee is not charged, the 10 purchasable plans cost $500 each and the city's plan, The Joel, is free. Identify the plan as pre-approved in the eBuild project description
- Ask Public Works Engineering (541-682-8400) for an SDC estimate at your pre-application meeting: the city's own range is $6,000-$10,000 with the transportation SDC waived, and you can put the balance on a city SDC contract for up to 10 years at prime plus 2%
- Cost basis: build costs are Angi's national ADU cost guide (updated May 30, 2026): $150-$300 per sq ft, detached new construction $110,000-$285,000, garage conversion $60,000-$150,000, prefab about 20% below site-built. Rents: HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Eugene-Springfield MSA ($1,286 one-bedroom, $1,688 two-bedroom) and Zumper's Eugene averages on Sept 19, 2026 ($1,195 and $1,525). No Eugene-specific dated cost guide was found
ADU Builders in Eugene
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Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Eugene Code 9.2751(17) Accessory Dwellings and (18) Alley Access Lots, incl. (17)(c) Area-Specific Standards (Wayback capture May 28, 2024; code current through Ord. 20702) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Eugene Code Table 9.2750 Residential Zone Development Standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Eugene Ordinance No. 20659 - ADU code amendments (enacted Sept 15, 2021, effective Sept 17, 2021) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Accessory Dwellings in the City - Eugene Planning & Development fact sheet, Form LU-230 (Dec 2021) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Land Use Code Amendments - City of Eugene Planning (ADU file CA 18-1; 2026 Urban Growth Strategies package) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- ORS 197A.425 (formerly ORS 197.312(5)-(6)) - accessory dwelling units Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Oregon HB 2001 ADU Implementation Guidance - DLCD (Sept 2019) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program - City of Eugene Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Pre-Approved ADU Plans Library - City of Eugene (11 plan sets) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- ADU FAQs - City of Eugene Planning (permitting process, 3-4 week review) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Construction Permit Fees effective July 1, 2025 - Exhibit A to Administrative Order 53-25-05-F Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- System Development Charges (SDCs) FAQs - Form PW-614 (Dec 2024) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Transportation SDC - City of Eugene Public Works (100% ADU reduction) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- System Development Charges - City of Eugene Public Works (Admin Order 58-25-05-F, FY2026 rates) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Angi - How Much Does an ADU Cost to Build? (updated May 30, 2026) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- HUD FY 2026 Fair Market Rents - Eugene-Springfield, OR MSA Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Zumper - Eugene, OR rent research (data date Sept 19, 2026) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Short-Term Rentals in Eugene - City of Eugene (registration, 4.5% TRT) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Enrolled House Bill 2138 (2025) - Oregon Legislature Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Oregon 2025 Legislative Session Overview (HB 2138) - DLCD Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Eugene?
Yes. ADUs are allowed in All residential zones, on a lot with a single primary dwelling; the city's ADU fact sheet (Form LU-230) and its ADU program page say ADUs are allowed in all neighborhoods. Lots in the urban growth boundary but outside city limits follow a separate fact sheet (Accessory Dwelling in UL Overlay). Contact Land Use (541-682-8336) for non-residential zones in Eugene. The maximum size for a detached ADU is 800 sq ft or 10% of lot area, whichever is smaller, measured at the exterior walls and including halls, closets, stairs and baths (EC 9.2751(17)(a)1). Up to 300 sq ft of attached unheated garage or storage is not counted (800 sq ft if the ADU is above a garage). In the R-1 zone inside Amazon Neighbors, Fairmount Neighbors or South University: 600 sq ft on lots under 9,000 sq ft, 800 sq ft on lots of 9,000 sq ft or more (EC 9.2751(17)(c)2). Owner-occupancy is not required, so you can rent out the ADU.
How much does an ADU cost in Eugene?
ADU construction in Eugene typically costs $110,000-$285,000. Garage conversions run $60,000-$150,000, and prefab ADUs cost $90,000-$230,000.
How much can I rent an ADU for in Eugene?
Average ADU rents in Eugene are $1,200-$1,500/mo for a 1-bedroom and $1,500-$1,900/mo for a 2-bedroom unit.
Do I need parking for an ADU in Eugene?
None required. The city's ADU page states ADUs do not require additional off-street parking, and ORS 197A.425(1)(b)(B) bars Oregon cities from requiring it (vacation rentals excepted). Check with Eugene planning department for the latest Oregon ADU parking rules, as many states have relaxed requirements in recent years.
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Eugene?
The permit review timeline in Eugene is Pre-approved plans: the city says site-specific plan review typically takes 3-4 weeks before the permit can issue (city ADU FAQ). Custom plans go through standard residential plan review; Eugene publishes no target time for it. Permit fees: Valuation-based: building permit $953.34 plus $4.34 per $1,000 over $100,000, plan check 65% of that (waived for pre-approved plans), electrical $244.40, plumbing $571.40 for one bath, mechanical per appliance, plus 12% state surcharge (schedule effective July 1, 2025; a July 2026 schedule applies).
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